BURLINGTON — A former patient of a Fletcher Allen Health Care surgeon has donated $1 million to establish a professorship in the doctor’s name at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.

The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, and an acquaintance were both treated successfully in recent years by Dr. Frank Ittleman, division chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Fletcher Allen. He’s also a professor of surgery at the college of medicine.

A news release announcing the donation said the donor was inspired by a $1 million challenge grant in June from Tom and Mary Evslin of Stowe to support advanced cardiology research at Fletcher Allen and the college.